FOI Request - Face Covering Risk Assessments
Request 101002655158
We are making a request for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 for any information held by you in your capacity as Employer in relation to schooling, early years and other educational establishments in the local authority area.
We hereby request all information pertaining to:
1 - the Risk Assessment you carried out in relation to the use of face coverings by employees, pupils/students and parents/guardians in and around such premises (including without limitation the Risk Assessment document itself and any underlying evidence you relied on). We understand you have a statutory obligation to have carried out such a Risk Assessment under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 so our request covers this formal Risk Assessment as well as any more informal assessments you may have carried out weighing up the potential adverse impacts of wearing face coverings (for example, physical, psychological or developmental harm) against the perceived benefits (including any information held by you relating to scientific evidence you relied on regarding their effectiveness).
2 - details of any insurance policies (such as employers liability insurance) held by you which will provide cover in the event of liability for harm suffered by employees, pupils/students and parents/guardians through the use of face coverings in and around such premises and the value of such cover.
Response 01-04-21
Please find below all the risk assessments that have been completed to date for schools returning whether as hubs, in full, on a phased or staggered basis:
Risk Assessments June 2020 Generic
August Covid Generic Risk Assessment
Risk Assessment Guidance - August Updates
Risk Assessment Guidance January Updates
Risk Assessment Guidance February 2021 Update
All have been completed using Scottish Government Advice held within the document:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance on reducing the risks from COVID-19 in schools Non-statutory guidance to ensure a safe and supportive environment for learning and teaching.
This includes any changes made or updated in each version up to Version 5.1.
Posters have been displayed across the school estate exemplifying the safe use and disposal of face coverings as well as requesting where, when and how they should be worn.
All schools are covered by insurance policies as appropriate for all aspects of local authority service.
Our insurance policies will provide cover in the event that we are found to be legally liable for any injuries, losses or damages in the course of the Council's duties. Please note that there is no specific mention of face coverings in our employee and public liability policies and face covering guidance has been provided by the Scottish Government. Details of cover can be viewed here.